A deadly Listeria outbreak tied to recalled precooked pasta meals has resulted in at least six deaths and 27 illnesses across 18 states, according to federal health authorities. The contamination has been traced to Nate’s Fine Foods, a Roseville, California company that recalled nearly 245,000 pounds of ready-to-eat pasta in September 2025 after routine testing and genetic sequencing confirmed Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The outbreak reportedly began in August 2024 and has continued through October 2025, with the most recent illness recorded on October 16, 2025. Fatalities have been confirmed in Hawaii, Oregon, Illinois, Michigan, Texas, and Utah, and one case involved a pregnant woman who tragically lost her baby due to infection-related complications. The contaminated pasta was distributed nationwide and used in heat-and-eat meals and deli pasta salads produced by FreshRealm, a major supplier to grocery stores and meal service companies across the United States.
Federal officials warn that the recall extends beyond a single product line, affecting a wide range of refrigerated meals, salads, and pasta dishes with sell-by or best-by dates in September and October 2025. Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers immediately, discard recalled items, and sanitize surfaces that may have come into contact with contaminated food. Recalled products can also be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Why This Outbreak Is Especially Concerning
Unlike most foodborne bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperatures, making it particularly dangerous in ready-to-eat meals. Once ingested, the pathogen can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that disproportionately affects pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea, but in severe cases, the infection can spread to the bloodstream or central nervous system, leading to sepsis or meningitis.
Pregnant individuals face unique risks, as listeriosis can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth even when the mother experiences only mild flu-like symptoms. Health experts recommend that anyone who consumed recalled pasta and later developed symptoms seek immediate medical attention. Physicians can perform blood or spinal fluid tests to confirm infection and begin antibiotic treatment.
Consumer Rights and Legal Recourse
In the wake of this outbreak, consumers are raising questions about accountability and food safety oversight. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to investigate the outbreak’s scope, tracing contamination points across supply chains and production facilities. However, companies that produce or distribute contaminated food can be held legally responsible for illnesses and deaths resulting from their negligence.
Food safety attorney Ron Simon emphasizes that consumers have the right to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by foodborne illness. “Every outbreak like this is a reminder that food producers must maintain rigorous safety standards at every stage—from processing to packaging to distribution,” Simon noted in a recent statement. Victims of the Listeria outbreak, or their families, may be eligible to pursue legal claims if they were diagnosed with listeriosis after consuming recalled pasta products.
What Consumers Can Do
- Check your refrigerator and freezer for recalled pasta or ready-to-eat meals produced by Nate’s Fine Foods or FreshRealm.
- Discard affected products or return them to the store for a refund.
- Clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that came into contact with the recalled food.
- Monitor your health and seek prompt medical care if symptoms develop—especially if you are pregnant or immunocompromised.
- Report illness to local health departments or through the CDC Food Safety Reporting portal.
For a complete list of recalled products and updates on the ongoing investigation, visit the FDA and CDC websites or contact a law firm for legal guidance and outbreak news.
